hitchhiking across the USA

[Borris]

I'm thinking of going on a road trip to hitchhike my way across the USA on my way to the burn.
any suggestions? personal experience?
I'm thinking of leaving NYC in July and reach Reno.

[Dr. Pyro]

Borris, good to hear from you my friend. Let me give you a friendly suggestion about hitch hiking across the US of A. I hitched from New Orleans to NYC and had a sign that simply read: HOME TO MAMA. NYC. That gave me a personality and it took no time to get a ride (comparatively speaking). New Orleans to Memphis to Vienna, VA to NYC. Three days. So what I would do if I were you is hitch and have a sign that reads GOING HOME. BRC. (Or something to that effect.) That way if a burner sees you, they would more likely give you a ride. I know I certainly would. And then you have something in common with your hosts.

[ygmir]

yeah Doc........but tell him about the outfit you were wearing.............

[International Incident]

Hey Boris, while having only hitchhiked in Alaska and Canada I found that if I didn't get a ride quick popping into whatever diner (old school not McD) and asking the waitress to ask the regulars whether they would give me a ride worked really well. Also felt a bit safer than just getting in car with some random person.

Only time that fell down was when the guy had about 5 shotguns in his car and that freaked me a bit - so he put them in the boot ... Much better.

It's a great idea and I'm sure you will have a ball!

[teardropper]

I've made that trip, east and west, north and south, but I'm old and it's been a while. Doubt if the rules have changed that much. I always used a sign and Doc's idea sounds good.

As long as you've got someone bringing you water...

[AntiM]

I never hitch-hiked much, mostly in the 70s, when I was a cute 18 year old blonde. I swear, Ted Bundy once gave me a ride. Timeframe, place (Utah) and car were right, and the guy totally creeped me out. Yikes.

[gyre]

It's much harder than it used to be.
And I think more dangerous.

There is zimride and craigslist for rides too.
Probably others.

[shykat]

Me and my wife hitched hiked from NYC to LA in 94 , it only took 2 rides to get us all the way there.

Leave in mid august. Bring enough money for a bus ticket just incase.We had a blast doing it....

[Bin Noddin]

Did it twice - once alone (Eugene - Los Angeles - Philadelphia), once as newlyweds (honeymoon by thumb, Madison - Berkeley and back). 1971 and 1974. Good idea to have the bus fare, just in case. How will you take care of water, food and camping gear for the burn? Seems like a disproportionate number of my longer rides were with newly divorced men who had to get some anger off their chests. If you're going straight through, five or six days should do it. Looks like you're planning to dawdle and look around. Good idea. A "home to BRC" sign would work best a week or so before the event when there are many burners on the road. Don't know how it will work in July. Have a good time.